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| Architect Tran Thi Quynh Huong |
Could you elaborate on your idea, Quynh Huong?
In Strasbourg, a city in eastern France, key destinations - including squares, the cathedral, the central station, shopping hubs, and public spaces - are all located just a short walk away. I rarely used public transportation for the duration of my visit. Experience shows that a city's livability depends less on its size or high-tech facilities and more on providing seamless, safe, and easy access to daily essentials.
On that same journey, I caught up with an old architect friend, and we spent hours conversing about architecture, heritage preservation, and urban planning. Just as I was looking for a master's thesis topic, my friend sparked an idea with a deceptively simple question: "Why not look into the 15-minute city model for Hue, the place where you grew up?"
So, what is Hue’s edge in this idea?
Many think the 15-minute city must go hand in hand with large, modern metropolises, but in my view, Hue is actually the ideal location because it boasts many favorable conditions hard to find in other places.
First of all, Hue possesses a relatively compact urban structure with flat terrain and a moderately sized street network. In the central area, most essential amenities - such as schools, hospitals, markets, service shops, and cultural spaces - are located within an 800-meter radius, equivalent to a 10-to-15-minute walk.
Spatial analysis and survey results also indicate that many areas in Hue already align well with the principle of proximity - one of the core foundations of the 15-minute city model.
Additionally, Hue possesses unique advantages that few cities enjoy, such as a system of over 64,000 trees, the distinctive landscape of the Perfume River, a relatively high density of open spaces, and a vast body of cultural heritage. These are crucial elements for building high-quality residential areas, where residents can not only access essential services but also enjoy a healthy and identity-rich living environment.
What are your thoughts on its feasibility?
The "15-Minute City" concept was proposed by Professor Carlos Moreno in 2016 and gained widespread recognition when the administration of Paris, France incorporated it into its post-COVID-19 urban development strategy.
Paris serves as a prime example. The city has invested heavily in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, adding over 1,200 km of new bike lanes, expanding pedestrian-priority streets, and converting many semi-public areas - such as schoolyards and hospital grounds—into public community spaces outside operating hours.
Notably, Paris and Hue share several similarities in their heritage urban structures. Both have a river flowing through the heart of the city (the Seine in Paris and the Perfume River in Hue), feature a blend of historical architecture and newly developed areas, and strive to balance conservation with development.
In Asia, Busan, South Korea serves as a noteworthy example, with authorities investing 150 billion won—equivalent to 125 million USD - to build a "happy city" for its 3.7 million residents. Each district was allocated separate funding to improve walkways, create space for community interaction, and promote sustainable development. This decentralized approach is highly relevant for Hue to consider given its limited resources.
In Melbourne, Australia, the government implemented the "20-Minute Neighbourhoods" strategy to ensure all residents can access essential services within a short walk, bike ride, or public transit trip. In Portland, USA, the "Complete Neighborhoods" model was developed to reduce reliance on cars and enhance daily access to amenities within residential areas.
Of course, Hue cannot simply copy the model of Paris or any other city. The key is to apply the core principles of the "15-Minute City" to construct a version tailored to the local economic conditions, culture, and unique heritage characteristics.
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| Hue is seen as an ideal city to develop into a “15-minute city ” moving forward. Photo by Le Dinh Hoang |
Beyond the advantages, what do you perceive as the main hurdles for Hue in implementing this idea?
This is precisely what weighs most heavily on my mind.
To begin with, Hue’s urban infrastructure still faces many limitations: sidewalks are encroached upon and lack continuity, while dedicated bicycle lanes are virtually non-existent in the city center. Crossing the street also poses frequent inconveniences, especially during peak hours. All these factors prevent walking and cycling from becoming attractive options.
On top of that, Hue faces extreme weather - long, scorching summers followed by prolonged rainy seasons and frequent flooding that disrupt daily travel. Unless climate-resilient design is integrated into infrastructure upgrades, these environmental realities will remain major roadblocks to building a 15-minute city.
Another key challenge lies in traffic culture. Motorcycles dominate daily mobility in Hue, representing nearly 70% of active vehicles. Offering unmatched speed, agility in erratic weather, and a crucial livelihood tool, motorbikes are deeply entrenched. Shifting away from this habit will prove nearly impossible until alternative options offer real convenience and appeal.
Last but not least, the 15-minute city model requires a synchronized policy ecosystem and long-term capital investment - both of which Hue currently lacks. Given limited local budgets and no dedicated national legal framework for 15-minute urbanism in Vietnam, the city lacks a solid basis to mobilize funds or attract private investment into public spaces. While cities like Paris or Melbourne benefit from national backing and high-level political commitments, Hue largely has to fend for itself - a structural challenge that good urban planning alone cannot resolve.
So, in your view, what should Hue do?
Rather than rushing into sweeping, short-term transformations, I believe Hue ought to adopt a phased roadmap toward the 15-minute city model.
In the initial phase (1 - 5 years), the city can focus on low-cost solutions that yield quick results, such as renovating sidewalks, adding trees and covered walkways, expanding public bike-sharing systems, reorganizing existing public spaces, and piloting small-scale bus routes.
In the initial phase (1 - 5 years), the city can focus on low-cost solutions that yield quick results, such as renovating sidewalks, adding trees and covered walkways, expanding public bike-sharing systems, reorganizing existing public spaces, and piloting small-scale bus routes.
In the long term (10 - 20 years), Hue can aim to become a sustainable heritage city, where the Citadel area prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists, and eco-friendly modes of transportation.
If implemented with a long-term vision and close coordination among local authorities, experts, and the community, the "15-Minute City" model will not only elevate quality of life but also serve as a fitting path for Hue to preserve its heritage while advancing green and sustainable development for the future.
Thank you, Architect Quynh Huong!